Book of Common Prayer
Paul Decides To Return To Jerusalem And Then Go To Rome. He Sends Timothy Ahead
21 Now when these[a] things were completed, Paul put[b] in his spirit that, having gone through Macedonia and Achaia, he should be going to Jerusalem, having said that “After I come-to-be there, I must also see Rome”. 22 And having sent-out two of the ones ministering with him to Macedonia— Timothy and Erastus— he himself held-on in Asia for a time.
There Is a Big Uproar In Ephesus Over a Decline In The Sale of Idols Due To Paul
23 Now about that time, no small disturbance took place concerning the Way. 24 For a certain Demetrius by name, a silversmith making silver shrines[c] of Artemis[d], was bringing-about no small business for the craftsmen— 25 whom having assembled-together, and the workers with respect to such things, he said, “Men, you know that prosperity for us is from this business. 26 And you are seeing and hearing that this Paul— having persuaded people not only from Ephesus, but from almost all Asia— turned-away a considerable crowd, saying that the gods being made with hands are not gods. 27 But not only is-there-a-danger for us that this[e] part may come into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted for nothing, and that she whom all Asia and the world worships may even be about to be torn-down[f] from her majesty”.
Amid The City-Wide Confusion, Friends of Paul Are Seized
28 And having heard it, and having become full of rage, they were crying-out, saying, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” 29 And the city was filled with confusion. And they rushed with-one-accord into the theater, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus— Macedonian fellow-travelers of Paul. 30 And while Paul was wanting to enter into the public-assembly, the disciples were not letting him. 31 And even some of the Asian-officials[g]— being friends with him, having sent to him— were urging him not to give himself to the theater. 32 Then indeed, other ones were crying-out another[h] thing. For the assembly was confused, and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together. 33 And some from the crowd gave-instructions-to[i] Alexander— the Jews having put him forward. And Alexander, having waved his hand, was intending to speak-a-defense to the public-assembly. 34 But having recognized that he was a Jew, one voice came[j] from everyone— crying-out for about two hours, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
The Town Mayor Calms And Dismisses The Crowd
35 And the town-mayor[k], having calmed the crowd, says, “Men, Ephesians, who indeed is there of mankind who does not know the city of the Ephesians as being temple-keeper[l] of the great Artemis, and of the image fallen-from-heaven[m]? 36 These things then being undeniable, you must continue-being calmed[n] and doing nothing reckless— 37 for you brought here these men being neither temple-robbers nor ones blaspheming our goddess. 38 So indeed if Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, courts are being led[o], and there are proconsuls. Let them bring-a-charge against one another. 39 Now if you are seeking-for anything further[p], it will be settled in the lawful assembly. 40 For indeed we are in-danger-of being charged with a riot because of today— there being no cause[q] for it— in relation to which[r] we will not be able to render an account for this gathering”. 41 And having said these things, he dismissed the assembly.
A Father Pleads With Jesus To Heal His Son Whom The Disciples Could Not Heal
14 And having come to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and scribes debating[a] with them. 15 And immediately all the multitude, having seen Him, were struck-with-wonder. And running-up, they were greeting Him. 16 And He asked them, “What are you debating with them?” 17 And one from the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought my son having a mute spirit to You. 18 And wherever it overcomes[b] him, it throws-him-to-the-ground, and he foams-at-the-mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes-stiff. And I spoke[c] to Your disciples in order that they might cast it out, and they were not strong-enough [d]”. 19 And the One, having responded to them, says “O unbelieving[e] generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I bear-with you? Bring him to Me”. 20 And they brought him to Him. And having seen Him, the spirit immediately convulsed him. And having fallen on the ground, he was rolling-himself while foaming-at-the-mouth. 21 And He asked his father, “How long is it since this has happened to him?” And the one said, “From childhood. 22 And it often threw him even into fire and into waters in order that it might destroy him. But if You are able to do anything, help[f] us, having felt-deep-feelings [of pity] toward us”. 23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If You are able?’ All things are possible for the one believing”. 24 Immediately, having cried-out, the father of the child was saying, “I believe. Help my unbelief ”. 25 And Jesus, having seen that a crowd is running-together-upon them, rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it “Mute and deaf spirit, I command you— come out of him and enter into him no longer”. 26 And having cried-out, and having convulsed him greatly, it came out. And he became as if dead, so that the majority were saying that “He died”. 27 But Jesus, having taken hold of his hand, raised him. And he stood-up. 28 And He having entered into a house, His disciples were questioning Him privately, “Why is it that we were not able to cast it out?” 29 And He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing except by prayer”.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing